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MaryKay Holmes

Mary Kay earned her yoga teacher certification in 2001 from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago. Since that time, she has taught group classes and provided private instruction. Mary Kay has studied with yoga teachers Kim Schwartz, Gary Kraftsow and Mirka Scalco Kraftsow.

In 2005 Mary Kay returned to school to study anatomy and physiology. She continued her formal education and received an associate degree in Applied Science/Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in 2007. She is currently a licensed PTA in the state of Illinois and works in an physical therapy outpatient clinic.

In 2010 Mary Kay completed the American Viniyoga Institute’s Foundation for Yoga Therapy training. This certification allowed her to continue her studies with Gary Kraftsow at the American Viniyoga Institute to obtain a therapist certification.

The American Viniyoga Institute (AVI) certified Mary Kay as a Yoga Therapist in April 2013.

Her unique background combining physical therapy, yoga and yoga therapy allows her to provide instruction using therapeutic and/or developmental approaches, tailored to specific needs and goals of her students. Mary Kay recognizes the unique personalities, physiques and age of all students and offers yoga to complement each individual.

Mary Kay’s work in these two fields has directly influenced and benefited each discipline. “My experience as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) has profoundly deepened my understanding of the physical body, movement, as well as the multitude of conditions people experience. It has made me a better yoga instructor. And on the other hand, my experience as a yoga practitioner, teacher and therapist has certainly made me a better PTA.”

Mary Kay is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, the American Physical Therapy Association and the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.